EPA Finds No Widespread Drinking Water Pollution From Fracking

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EPA Finds No Widespread Drinking Water Pollution From Fracking

Jeff Brady – National Public Radio – June 04, 2015

The Environmental Protection Agency says it has found no evidence
that hydraulic fracturing — better known as fracking — has led to
widespread pollution of drinking water. The oil industry and its backers
welcome the long-awaited study, while environmental groups criticize
it.

“We found the hydraulic fracturing activities in the United States
are carried out in a way that has not led to widespread systemic impacts
on drinking water resources,” says Tom Burke, science adviser and
deputy assistant administrator of the EPA’s Office of Research and
Development. “In fact, the number of documented impacts to drinking
water resources is relatively low when compared to the number of
fractured wells,” he adds.

The EPA’s draft assessment
was conducted at the request of Congress. “It is the most complete
compilation of scientific data to date,” says Burke, “including over 950
sources of information, published papers, numerous technical reports,
information from stakeholders and peer-reviewed EPA scientific reports.”